Universal Service Fund well on way to Complete pan-national coverage of Telecoms Services

Universal Service Fund Company (USF Co) 55th Board of Directors Meeting was convened on Monday 20th November, 2017 in the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecom, Islamabad.
The Chairperson, Board of Directors, USF Co and the Minister of State for IT & Telecom; Mrs. Anusha Rahman chaired the meeting in which an overview of the main efforts and development of telecommunication services in un-served and under-served areas across Pakistan by USF were taken in to the view with a special emphasis on the timely execution of establishment of Computer labs and provision of Computer teachers in 226 Government Girls Educational Institutions of Islamabad Capital Territory and the special project of Empowerment of Artisans through E-commerce.
The USF Board of Directors in this meeting on the recommendation of the USF Co after transparent bidding process, awarded a contract pertaining to USF Broadband for sustainable development (BSD) Project Mohmand Lot encompassing Bajaur Agency, Mohmand Agency and Malakand to Telenor Pakistan (Pvt) Limited. This Project benefits an un-served population of about 1,599,500, covering 684 unserved Mauzas and an unserved area of 3,646 sq kms. Another contract of USF Broadband for Sustainable Development (BSD) project, DI Khan Lot encompassing DI Khan, FR D.I. Khan and Tank was also awarded to Telenor Pakistan (Pvt) Limited. This project benefits an unserved population of about 693,000, covering 335 unserved mauzas and an unserved area of 9,010 sq. kms. It was also agreed that similar projects for North Waziristan agency will soon be brought to the Board after completion of technical surveys and appropriate planning.
Anusha Rehman directed USF authorities to work out a proposal for establishment of 6 computer labs for physically handicapped and visually impaired children enrolled in special education centres being run under CADD.
The Board also took in to consideration the Human Resource Policies of USF Co. The policies have been shaped for the better functioning and performance of the company. In additional women have been given special advantage of working one day from home. The board further approved a day care centre for the benefit of working parents to be jointly run by the USF and Ignite Companies of the MoITT. All other elements of the HR policies of the company were also revised and approved.
Board members including the Secretary IT; Mr. Rizwan Bashir Khan, Member Telecom; Mr. Mudassar Hussain, VP ISPs; Mr. Azfar Manzoor, Representative Consumers Group; Mr. Kaukab Iqbal President and CEO PTCL; Dr. Daniel Ritz and the Senior Management of USF Co also attended the meeting.